MLB Picks and Predictions for August 6, 2026
Written by: Justin Carlucci
Last Update: Thu Aug 06, 2026, 9:23 am ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
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Thursday's MLB slate is loaded, and we're back to check out my best MLB picks today! I'm narrowing things down to two spots that really stand out in Baltimore and Philadelphia. Let's dig into my best MLB picks for August 6 and see if we can turn the heat into a couple of winners.
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Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals MLB Picks
We'll start in the evening as the Nationals visit the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park for a 6:05 PM ET matchup. Miles Mikolas is set to take the bump for Washington against Cristopher Sanchez for Philadelphia.
Nationals vs. Phillies Pitching Matchup
- Washington Nationals: RHP Miles Mikolas (3–8, 5.67 ERA, 55 SO)
- Philadelphia Phillies: LHP Cristopher Sanchez (14–4, 2.61 ERA, 168 SO)
Best Bet: Nationals/Phillies Over 9 Runs (−105) — BetOnline.ag Sportsbook
This one checks a lot of boxes for an over. First, it's going to be muggy in Philly — high‑80s with a slight breeze blowing out. That's the kind of weather that helps the ball jump. Then you look at the pitching matchup and both lineups, and it's easy to see paths to double‑digit runs.
On the Nationals side, Miles Mikolas has basically been a punching bag this season. His 5.67 ERA is ugly, and the expected ERA is pretty much right in line, so there's no "he's just unlucky" safety net. He's allowed an expected ISO way north of .200 to hitters from both sides of the plate and ranks near the basement in strikeout rate and whiff rate. He also walks almost no one, which means hitters are constantly putting the ball in play, and he gives up his fair share of hard hits and barrels.
That's a bad profile against a Phillies lineup that just added Luis Arraez. Philadelphia already had power lefties at the top in Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, and now Arraez brings elite contact skills and a microscopic strikeout rate to a group that needed a bat who could keep the line moving. He adds a new dimension that makes this lineup even more dangerous against a pitcher who doesn't miss bats.
Washington Nationals: Pesky vs. Lefties
On the other side, Sanchez is an elite starter, but he hasn't been perfect. Additionally, this Nationals team has actually shown it can get to him. He's faced Washington twice this season: one game turned into an 11‑run affair despite him pitching a gem, and in the other, the Nationals got to him for five earned runs in a game that finished with 15 runs. This group is pesky against left‑handed pitching.
Even with James Wood on the injured list, Washington still has plenty of strong platoon bats versus southpaws. Since the beginning of July, the Nationals have posted one of the best offensive profiles in baseball against lefties, with a top‑tier wRC+ and a high ISO in those splits.
If the Phillies do a little bit of the heavy lifting early against Mikolas, there are multiple ways for this game to sail past 9. The Nationals' bullpen has been a problem all year, so once Mikolas exits, the matchup stays sweet for Philadelphia.
Baltimore Orioles vs. Los Angeles Angels MLB Picks
Now, for the afternoon battle as the Angels visit the Orioles at Camden Yards for a 12:35 PM ET first pitch. Ryan Johnson is scheduled to take the mound for Los Angeles against Brandon Young for Baltimore.
Angels vs. Orioles Pitching Matchup
- Los Angeles Angels: RHP Ryan Johnson (2–6, 7.63 ERA, 37 SO)
- Baltimore Orioles: RHP Brandon Young (8–2, 3.31 ERA, 85 SO)
Best Bet: Orioles −0.5 First 5 Innings (−126) — BetOnline.ag Sportsbook
I'm isolating the first five innings here and backing Baltimore on the run line. The matchup sets up nicely for the Orioles to jump out early before bullpens get involved.
Ryan Johnson has been absolutely atrocious this season. His ERA north of 7.00 tells you plenty by itself, but the expected ERA in the low‑5s confirms that there's no fluky story underneath. He's giving up a barrel rate near 10%, striking out only about 17.5% of hitters and not keeping the ball on the ground. With a scorcher on tap at Camden Yards, that's a tough draw for a pitcher who lets this much hard contact through.
Brandon Young has been a solid bright spot for the Orioles. The Angels are projected to roll out at least five left‑handed hitters against him, which typically wouldn't bode well for a pitcher who's striking out only around 16% of lefties this season. The key is what those lefties have actually been doing at the plate. Since the beginning of July, the Angels have the highest strikeout rate in baseball against southpaws. I'm hoping Pete Alonso and company can get the job done.
Good luck on Thursday. Let's cash a couple of winners.
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Carlucci spent nearly a decade as a reporter, editor, and on-air talent in the Poconos. His transition into the fantasy sports and sports betting industries began in 2016 with roles at Daily Fantasy Insider and Daily Roto Sharks, which led to positions at Better Collective (RotoGrinders). During this period, his work gained national recognition through regular contributions to the New York Post and featured appearances on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. Carlucci has also contributed to Fantasy Alarm and most recently served as Managing Editor at Third Planet Media (Props.com), where he led content strategy, editorial direction, and served as the forward-facing voice of the brand through live streams and podcasts. You can also find his work at Matthew Berry's Fantasy Life and Hard Rock Digital. He's for some reason a die-hard Titans and 76ers fan and has developed trust issues from "trusting the process." Follow him on X @ThejCarlucci!
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